Closure



H. J. FINDLEY Oct. 1l, 1949.

CLOSURE Filed Jan. 21, 1946 Patented Oct. 11, 1949 UNITED STATE-.S PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE Howard J. Findley, Chardon, Ohio, assigner to Eaton Manufacturing Company,v Cleveland; Ohio, a corporation of Qhio Application January 21, 1946, Serial'. 642,46f7.i

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to closures and more particularly topressure and vacuum relief closures.

Broadly the invention. comprehends the provision of capsI or closures for fluid containers or closed fluid systems, said closures having valve means therein providing for the automatic re lief of pressure and vacuum from the containers or systems with which they are adapted to be associated.

Although numerous. closures for automatically regulating subnormal and` abnormal pressures above and below predetermined requirements in radiators, gas tanks, and other fluid containers subject to variations in fluid pressure within the fluidcontainers have been devised., manufactured, and used, none has achieved the safety andstructural limitations such thatl the pressure within the tanks` can Vbe kept withinV a conined predetermined range depending upon the physical. properties. of the fluid containers and possiblevariations in pressure range of the iiuid` contents thereof. Accordingly the instant invention through the employement of a snap action diaphragm two way valve arrangement wherein the diaphragm is initially adjustable to desired. s-nap action pressuredepending on the application of. the closure,. the closure can be made and` adjusted within required predeterminedY range of operation. thereof.

An object of. the invention is the'provision of a closure for fluid containers having a combined pressure and vacuumrelief valve incorpo-l rated therein.

Another object of the invention is` the provision of a closure for fluid containers for reg-u.- lating the relief of pressure and vacuum from the containers within specific predetermined limits.

A further object of the invention is the pro- 4g,

visionof a snap actiony diaphragm valve closurel for -uid containers for the reliefof vacuum and` pressure therefrom.

A still further object of the inventionl isthe provision of a closure for fluid containershaving;v 4-5` And yet a further object of the invention is' 50.v

the provision. of a closure for. fluid containers for automatically regulating. the subnormal and ab normal' pressures ft-uid containers of` simple construction and offer-:tive-Y ei'icientv operation within. prescribed pressure operating range.Y

@ther obiectsa and' advantages of' the invention will appear from` thef rollin/vingl description taken in connection wlitliv the drawings;y formi-ng a part of the specification; and in which:

Fig. l. is a tra-.gmentary top pl'an- View of the capi or closurel constituting the invention.

Fig. 2` is a. vertical cross sectional` view ofthe closure illustrating. the snap action.- diaphragm two way valve incorporated in the closure, and

Fig. 3 is an= enlargede fragmentary vertical` cross sectional. view ot the two way' valves arrangement.

In the widespread adoption of closedV systems for fuel. tanks, cooling systems, andthe like,l it is essentially important, that closure means be provided that are capablevv of effectively, automaticallyregulating. the. subnormal and abnormalpressures therein within prescribed limits, whileV at thefsame. time. preventing loss of fluid-.contents thereof through hoilingas in thc case of cooling systems,y or through vaporization in the case of vehicle fuet tanks.. In clnsures of this nature it isA of vital.- importance that they valve means in.- corporat'ed therein be. quicklyy effectively responsive toA pressure and. vacuumfchanges in.-. the associated closed fluid systems within a controlled. predetermined. operating-y range. such that the valve is positively responsive. tol the. proper limitsof pressure. and. vacuum, in the systems,V thuspreventing. any. possible. collapse: or explosion of the. system due to! undesirable subnormal or ab` normal: atmospheric, pressures` being createdI in the. system..

The instant invention resides the provision` of a closure for closed fluid systems having valve means incorporated therein for. the relief of pres sure and vacuum. fronr said: systems quickly and eifectiveiyg. said-1. valve means: assuring of quick vacuumK or pressure response by theV use ofv a snap action. diaphragm. that is movable between; two limits,. andi diaphragm is adjustableV initially toits proper operating' resiliency so' as to eniectively control. theA limits"` of pressure and: vacuum at which the valve mechanism shoui'd operate. The diaphragm. is' associated. with. and

adjustable to its proper operating resiliency by a central valve member that is movable relative to the diaphragm to permit of the escape of pressure from the system With which the closure is associated or entrance of pressure to the system thereof upon creation of a vacuum in the system thus providing for regulation of the system to function between certain limits of vacuum and pressure such, for example, as from 1/2 lb. subatmosphere to 11/2 lbs. superatmosphere.

Referring to the drawings for more specic details of the invention I9 represents generally a cap or closure adapted to be used on closed uid containers or systems.

The cap I comprises an outer circular closurel member I2 having a depending annular skirt I4,

said skirt in turn being provided with a pair of external radial protrusions I6 and a pair of in ward radially disposed lugs or-fingers I8, the

protrusions providing means for manually Vtightd ening or removing the cap from assembly with its associated system, not shown, and fingers I8 are adapted to associate with proper connectionsY on the system to thus clamp the closure in installed position. f

' The cover I2- has axed centrally thereof a hub Y28' comprising a body 22 and an end 24 peened over to hold an annular ring 26. The hub 29 has a centrally threaded bore '28 adapted to receive an' adjusting screw 38 in threaded relation thereto, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. The screw 30 has a central aperture 32 provided in one end and a screw driver slot V34 in the oppositeend thereof.

VA ilexible dished ring 36 is mounted upon hub with a sealing washer or spacer 38 mounted on the hub interposed between the cover I2 and ring 36. A cup shaped member 39 mounted concenneck 86 of an appropriate fuel tank, cooling system or any other suitable closed fluid system comprising a body portion 88, an annular flange 99 and a reduced axial ange 92, flange 96 being inserted between fingers I8 and ring 36 and resiliently held therebetween such that a rib 94 on enclosure 86 at the junction of body 88 and flange 92 is held in sealing engagement upon the sealing ring 50. The ller neck 86 is provided with an opening 96 in the wall of body portion 88 providing communication of the valve mechanism of the closure and the atmosphere.

In the assembly of the component parts of the closure prior to installation in operational use with closed fluid systems it is of utmost importance that the diaphragm 44 be initially set to its screw 3|]Y to a position such that the diaphragm will be responsivey to the proper pressure desired for the operation thereof. After the setting of the screw to desired position it is then xedly inasmuch as no further adjusting is necessary quirements prior to the use thereof.

trically on the hub 20 juxtaposed the ring 36` is provided with an annular grooved flange 40, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear, and a plurality of circumerentially spaced ports 42 in its body.

The grooved flange has tted therein `in closely packed relation a thin Ymetallic snap action diaphragm 44, an annular rubber Washer 46, a disc member 48, and an annular rubber sealing ring 58, said disc having a perforated dished portion 52 and radial split portions providing fingers 54 and 56 embracing ring 58 so as to hold it in snug sealing engagement in the member 39.

The diaphragm 44, as shown by Fig. 2 as assuming a normally iiat position is provided with a sealing and strengthening rib 58, a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports 6D and a central opening 62 for receipt of a valve post 64 adapted for reciprocation therein. The valve post 64 is cylindrical in shape and comprises a central body portion 66, a radial flange 68, an axial extension 10, the end of which is adapted to abut the bottom of aperture 32 in screw 30, and a reduced portion 12. At the opposite extremity thereof is mounted a concentric ring 14, an annular sealing member 16 and a disc 18 having an upturned annular flange 86 embracing the ring 14, the ring 14, member 16 and disc 18 being screwed upon the reduced portion 12 of the post 64 by a peenedover ange 82 constituting a part of post 64. The post 64 is normally mounted in xed relation to the diaphragm by the inner positioning of a light lcoil spring 84 betweenthe-an-ge 68 and diaphragm 44, said spring normally holding the sealing member 16 in sealing engagement upon in addition to the initial setting thereof. It is to be realized that the adjustment of the diaphragm to a predetermined resiliency is a Vital feature of the structure in that because of the inacycuracies that occur in the manufacture of diaphragms for snap action pressure operations it is almost impossible to produce a number of like diaphragms that Vary minutely in snap action pressure response and is thereby necessary, asl in this case, that they be adjusted to operating re- With the installation of the closure I0 in the ller neck 86 of an engine cooling system, gas tank, or other uid container, or system, the valve mechanism of the closure is operable to relieve pressure or vacuum formation in the system above and below predetermined requirements. Upon the generation of pressure in the system the pressure on the fluid is transmitted through ports and acts across the face area of diaphragm 44, said diaphragm resisting pressure creation to the extent of its setting which for illustration might be 11/2 lbs., wherein upon the attainment of suchv pressure acting on the diaphragm' the diaphragm is moved or snapped from its normal valve seated position to the position indicated by dotted line Ill thereby providing for relief of pressure past the movement of the diaphragm to dotted line position |00 that thediaphragm acts against the load of the coil spring v84Y set to predetermined load position by adjustment of the screw 3l)Y abutting the valve posts vand thus inhibits movement of the valve post in one direction. In the case of the creation of a vacuum' in the system below a desirable allowable amount, say 1/2 lb. aA

suction or vacuum action acts upon the valve mechanism 14--16-18 affixed tothe valve post 64 to overcome the load of spring 84 thus mov-V ing the valve from its seat permitting the passage of atmospheric pressure from without the 1 1/2 lbs. pressure and `1/2 lb. vacuum the system will remain closed thereby preventing vaporization of the gas from iluid tanks, loss of cooling medium from'cooling systems, etc., in keeping with the chances mode.l of application ofthe closure. This descrip# tion completes. all phases. of operation of the closure. for-.its intended function..

While Vthis invention has been described in connection with certain specic. embodiments, the principle.- involved is. susceptible of numerous other applications; that. will readily` occur te persons skilled in the art., TheI invention, therefore,- is iimited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What. I claim is:

1. In a closure for closed: fluid systems, a hollow cap body having a central hub axed thereto, a concentric flexible disc mounted on the hub, a cup-shaped member concentrically mounted on the hub in axial abutting relation to the disc, a two-way valve mechanism supported concentrically on the cup member at the lip end thereof comprising a resilient thin snap action flexible metallic diaphragm and a spring pressed central valve member, and means threaded in the hub for adjusting the pressure responsive load of the diaphragm through the medium of the valve member.

2. A closure device for fluid containers comprising a hollow cylindrical body having a central hub, a flexible dished member mounted on the hub, a cup-shaped member mounted on the hub with the dished member interposed between it and the cylindrical body, a valve mechanism mounted on the cup-shaped member at the free end thereof comprising a flexible snap action diaphragm having a central aperture and a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports and a spring pressed axially movable cylindrical sealing member having a part mounted for reciprocation in the aperture and a part cooperating with the diaphragm for controlling the ports in the diaphragm, and means threaded in the hub for setting the diaphragm to required load responsiveness.

3. A closure for cooperation with the llller neck of a closed fluid system comprising a hollow, shallow cylindrical body having a central hub integral therewith, a valve supporting member mounted concentrically on the hub having ports in the body thereof, a flexible disc member mounted on the hub interposed between the body and valve supporting member adapted for tension holding relation with the illler neck when the closure is assembled thereon, a valve mechanism secured in the valve supporting member at one end thereof comprising a thin flexible snap action diaphragm having a central aperture, a plurality of equi-spaced circumferential ports, and a subtended annular sealing rib and a cylindrical valve member reciprocably mounted in the aperture and spring supported on the diaphragm having an annular sealing element adapted to cooperate with the sealing rib on the diaphragm effective to control the ports in the diaphragm, and means for moving the cylindrical valve member relative to the cylindrical body and against the resistance of the spring to set the diaphragm to the proper pressure operating load desired.

4. A closure for closed iluid systems comprising a shallow hollow cylindrical cap member, a flexible disc mounted centrally of the cap cooperable therewith for resiliently holding the closure in position when assembled for use on a closed fluid system, a cup-shaped member mounted upon the cap in abutting relation to the disc having a plurality of circumferential openings in the wall thereof, a valve assembly supported on the cup-shaped member at the open end thereof and; forming a chamber therebetween with the cup-shaped member, comprising a two position snap action diaphragm having a plurality of circumferential ports therethrough continuously open to the chamber, a sealing member arranged on the diaphragm and normally, re siliently held. thereon closingthe ports fr cmccmmunication to the side of the. diaphragm onpositely disposed from the chamber, and an annular sealing ring supported on the lip of the cup-shaped member adapted for sealing engage ment with the fluid system when the closure is assembled thereon, said diaphragm movabletoy a position for opening the chamber to communication with the fluid system upon the attainment of a predetermined pressure in the system.

5. A closure device for cooperation with the filler neck of a closed fluid system comprising a cylindrical cap member, a flexible curved disc member supported centrally thereof concentrically upon the cap, a cup-shaped member mounted in concentric axial abutting relation to the disc, a valve mechanism supported on the cup-shaped member at one end thereof including a snap action metallic diaphragm having an annular rib and a plurality of circumferential openings within the conilnes of the rib, and a valve member normally, resiliently held upon the diaphragm in sealing engagement with the annular rib of the diaphragm, an annular resilient sealing member supported on the lip of the cup, and means arranged centrally of the cap, disc and cup-shaped member for predeterminedly adjusting the pressure at which the diaphragm is adapted to be responsive for movement from valve closed to valve open position, said cap, flexible disc and annular seal all cooperating with the ller neck of a closed iluid system upon assembly of the closure thereupon to retain the closure thereon and seal the fluid system from the atmosphere and said diaphragm being adapted to snap action movement when a predetermined pressure is attained in the fluid system.

6. A closure for cooperation with a ller neck of a closed fluid system having spaced outer and inner seats and an atmosphere connection therebetween comprising a cap body adapted for releasable connection with the neck, a flexible disc in the cap body for cooperation with the outer seat of the filler neck, an axial depending cupshaped member mounted on the cap having a sealing lip which is adapted to be engageable with the inner seat of the ller neck when the closure is applied to the neck, a valve mechanism supported on the cup-shaped member providing a chamber therebetween with the cup-shaped member including a thin snap action diaphragm having a plurality of circumferential openings therethrough and an annular depending rib, a

spring pressed sealing means supported on the diaphragm having normal sealing engagement with the rib whereby the openings in the diaphragm are normally sealed from communication with the fluid system to which the closure is adapted while at the same time being continuously open to the chamber, said cup-shaped member having a plurality of openings in the wall thereof providing communication of the chamber with the atmosphere through the atmospheric connection in the neck, and an adjustment means secured in the cap for engagement with the sealing means for establishing the predetermined pressure at which it is desired to permit snap action of the diaphragm relative to 7 the sea1ing"mealns for the releaseff pressure Nmberuf from the lclosed fluid system. 1,273,347 v. y, 1,493,774 HOWARD J. FINDLEY. 1,897,155 5 2,115,340 Y vREFERENCES CITED 2,164,478 The following references are of record in the 2203'801 me of this paient; Y' 406502 UNITDSTATES PA'I'ENTS 10 Number Name Date Number 761,651 Bingley June 7, 1904 518,482

1,033,136 Wennelfsten July 23, 1912 8 Name i Date Ferrisv July 23, 1918 Dorsey May 13, 1924 Vaughn Feb. 14, 1933 McCrosson Apr. 26, 1938 Smith July 4, 1939 Swank June 11, 1940 Lines Aug. 27, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Y Date Great Britain Feb. 28, 1940 

